Cheney to attend Duval fundraiser

By DAVID DECAMPThe Times-Union,

Vice President Dick Cheney will arrive this afternoon for a closed-door, Republican Party fundraiser in Jacksonville.

Cheney's event at the downtown Hyatt Regency hotel is expected to affect afternoon traffic but the Secret Service hopes to keep tie-ups to a minimum downtown and along highways, said Bob Jasinski, assistant to the special agent in charge in the Jacksonville office. Some streets downtown will closed just before the vice president's motorcade rolls through.

A specific route has not been revealed because of security concerns, but Cheney is expected to fly into Jacksonville from Orlando sometime after 4 p.m. The fundraising events last until 7 p.m.

Cheney's visit is part of a National Republican Congressional Committee event to raise money for the fall elections. Contributors were asked for $1,000 to attend the main reception, and for $10,000 for a special roundtable talk with Cheney.

The fundraiser was closed to the media at the GOP committee's request, according to the White House. A committee spokesman declined to elaborate why.

The Jacksonville event is co-chaired by four area Republicans: U.S. Reps. Ander Crenshaw, Jack Kingston, John Mica and Cliff Stearns. About 100 to 120 people are expected to attend the event, raising at least $170,000, said Mike Hightower, chairman of the Republican Party in Duval County.